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Dark raspberry, packed lilacs, crushed lavender and a hint of game make for a powerful yet elegant nose. The palate is framed by strong, silty and grippy tannins, with zippy acidity that delivers flavors of black raspberry, pepper spice and roasted boar. - Matt Kettmann

'Candied black raspberry, white pepper and bay leaf make for a lively, aromatic entry to this bottling. There is an ample amount of acidity on the palate, but also plenty of fruit and spice, from dark berry to thyme and ginger.' Editors’ Choice -M.K.

"Wine-obsessed travelers headed from iconic Napa and rustic Sonoma to the beloved destination of Santa Barbara may never suspect that some of California’s most beautiful and unspoiled wine country lies just minutes off their coastal route on Highway 101. SLO Wine Country, in San Luis Obispo County, is a wine wonderland that’s well worth a day—or more—of exploration. More than 25 wineries are located just minutes from the shore, making the surfer enclave of Pismo Beach or the cozy college town of San Luis Obispo ideal starting points."

"Buttered citrus, pineapple, floral and mineral notes all emerge from the 2014 Chardonnay Center of Effort, and it's clean, crisp and refreshing on the palate, with building richness. It's another impeccably made wine from this estate that's a joy to drink. This cuvée comes all from the estate Center of Effort vineyard and was brought up in a combination of concrete, acacia, neutral and new French oak."

"Functioning as the second wine of the estate, the 2015 Chardonnay Effort is made similarly to the top cuvée, yet sees a shorter elevage in slightly less new oak. It's another solid wine from this team that's well worth checking out. Tropical fruits, peach, honeysuckle and white flowers give way to a juicy, fruit-forward, nicely balanced white that has considerable charm. This 2015 spent 11 months in mostly neutral French oak."

"More tropical, with lots of melon, buttered citrus, leafy herbs and mint, the 2014 Chardonnay Giallo Solare is racy and lively on the palate, with plenty of fruit and texture, vibrant acidity and a clean finish. Like the estate cuvée, it comes all from the estate Center of Effort vineyard in Edna Valley, but was brought up in all concrete and stainless steel."

"Coming all from estate vineyard in Edna Valley and aged 20 months in French oak (35% new) with light lees, the 2014 Pinot Noir Center of Effort is gorgeous. Black cherries, fraboise, dried earth and assorted spice nuances emerge from this medium-bodied, concentrated, textured Pinot Noir that has fine tannin, a seamless mouth feel and great finish. I suspect it will keep for a decade or more."

"I love the nose on the 2013 Pinot Noir Center of Effort, and it offers textbook notes characteristics of black cherries, forest floor, crushed rocks and hints of licorice. Rich, textured, balanced and layered on the palate, with terrific fruit authority that doesn't detract from it's purity or elegance, drink it anytime over the coming decade. This cuvée saw just a touch of whole clusters and was brought up in 35% new French oak."

"Black cherries, dried herbs, forest floor and ample spice characteristics emerge from the elegant, yet also powerful 2012 Pinot Noir Rosso Corsa which has fine tannin, integrate acidity and a great finish. This limited production cuvée comes from two separate blocks in the estate vineyard and spent 19 months in neutral French oak. These blocks are normally blended into the Estate cuvée, yet in exceptional years, they bottle it separately."

"This bottling shows deep black plum, elderberry, rose and purple flower aromas. The palate is dense, with black plum and tart cranberry enhanced by Earl Grey tea and potpourri. Thanks to a strong tannic backbone and buoyant acidity, these flavors are interesting now but will meld together more compellingly in the years to come. Drink 2019–2034." Cellar Selection -MK

93 pts - v.2014 Chardonnay, Center of Effort (Edna Valley); $35

"Though golden-hued in the glass, this is rather mellow on the nose, with soft lemon cream, toasted apple and marzipan aromas. The palate shows intense acidic energy, with zippy, tight and clean nectarine sorbet and Meyer lemon rind flavors." -MK